Article I. Name. The name of the society is the Society for Marine Mammalogy.
Article II. Purposes. The objectives of the Society for Marine Mammalogy are to:
Article IV. Membership. Any person is qualified for full membership who is a professional in natural science or the management, husbandry, conservation or training of marine mammals.
Graduate students in these fields qualify for membership. Members pay dues, have voting rights, receive the Society's journal, may be elected to office and may serve as members of Standing Committees.
Any person who is actively enrolled in a degree-granting program at an institution of higher education qualifies for student membership. Student Members pay dues, have voting rights, receive the Society's journal, and may be elected as a Student Member-At-Large of the Board of Governors.
All who are interested in the aims of the Society qualify for associate membership. Associate members may not vote and may not serve as officers or members of standing committees but have all other rights.
An Emeritus member is any member who is retired from his or her professional career, is older than 65, and has been a Full Member of the Society for one or more years. Emeritus members qualify for all privileges of Full membership.
Any institution may become an Institutional Member. Institutional Members receive one copy of the Society's publications and notices, but may not vote. One representative of that institution may register at Society conferences at the lower individual member rate.
Corresponding Membership is available to persons qualified for Full Membership. The intent of Corresponding Membership is to improve participation in the Society by professionals and students from economically disadvantaged regions. Corresponding Members have voting rights, may be elected to office, and may serve as members of standing committees. Corresponding Members are not required to pay dues, and do not receive the Society's journal. Students approved as Corresponding Members have the same rights and privileges as regular Student Members, except that the journal is not received. Corresponding Membership is open only to persons nominated by the Membership Committee or the Board of Governors, and approved by the Board of Governors.
Article V. Officers. Officers include a President, a President-elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer (these latter two positions may be filled by a single person who will serve as Secretary-Treasurer), two Members-At-Large, and one Student Member-At-Large of the Board of Governors. These officers will be nominated biennially at the General Business Meeting and elected by secret ballot circulated to all members as soon thereafter as is feasible. A majority of those casting ballots is required for election.
Article VI. Terms of Office. The President serves a two-year term and may not directly succeed himself or herself.
The President-elect succeeds the President and serves a two-year term.
The Secretary and Treasurer serve two-year terms and may be reelected for any number of terms.
The Members-At-Large of the Board of Governors serve staggered four-year terms and may not directly succeed themselves.
The Student Member-At-Large shall serve two-year terms and may not directly succeed himself or herself
The officers will hold office until their successors are elected and qualified.
Article VII. Standing Committees. These consist of a Membership Committee, a Scientific Advisory Committee, a Conference Committee, a Scientific Program Committee, an Education Committee, an Awards and Scholarships Committee, a Nominations/Election Committee, and a Board of Editors. The chairpersons of these committees will be appointed by the elected officers, serve two-year terms and may be reappointed for any number of terms.
Article VIII. The Board of Governors. The voting members of the Board of Governors consist of the elected officers and the chairpersons of the Standing Committees and are the policy-making body of the Society.
Article IX. Finances. The Society will be supported by annual dues of the Members, Associate Members and Institutional Members, by the proceeds of the sale of publications or some other items it may issue with the approval of the Board of Governors and from such property or funds as it may acquire. All elected officers serve gratis although the Society may hire professional staff as needed. The finances of the Society will be audited by an accredited accounting firm at least once every six years.
Article X. Recall. Any officer may be removed from office at any time by a two-thirds majority of the entire membership using a secret mail ballot. Such a recall election can be called by a petition signed by 20 percent of the voting members.
Chairpersons of Standing Committees serve at the pleasure of the Board of Governors.
Article XI. Order of Succession. Vacancies of offices will be filled until the next election by succession in the following order: President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Member-At-Large, Junior Member-At-Large.
An officer who succeeds to the position of President-elect will not succeed to the Presidency but will be replaced by election.
Article XII. Changes in the Constitution and Bylaws. The Constitution may be modified by a majority vote of the entire membership by secret ballot. The Bylaws may be modified by a majority of the members present and voting at any scheduled general meeting of the Society by secret ballot.
Article XIII. Dissolution. Upon winding up and dissolution of the Corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the Corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation, which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational or religious and/or scientific purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(C)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Article XIV. Tax Exemption. Notwithstanding any other
provisions
of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other
activities
not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from United
States
federal income taxes under Section 501(C)(3) of the United States
Internal
Revenue Code of 1954.
Section 1. President
The President is the executive officer of the Society and will preside
over general meetings of the membership and meetings of the Board of
Governors.
Section 2. President-elect
The president-elect will:
The Secretary will:
The Treasurer will:
The Board of Governors should convene no less than annually, by telephone conference call or in person.
The president will arrange for meetings of the Board of Governors.
Article III. Membership of the Standing Committees.
The Chairpersons of Standing Committees shall propose committee members
for approval by the Board of Governors. Members of the Standing
Committees
serve at the pleasure of the Chairperson during his or her term of
office.
Article IV. Charges of Standing Committees.
Section 1. Membership Committee
The Membership Committee solicits, receives and reviews membership
applications and may itself propose new members.
Section 2. Committee of Scientific Advisors
The Scientific Advisory Committee is charged
with advising the Board of Governors on matters related to the
conservation
and management of marine mammals and with providing to the Board of
Governors
such scientific information as may be requested.
Section 3. Conference Committee
The Conference Committee is charged with making all necessary
arrangements
for general meetings and workshops, with concurrence of the Board of
Governors,
including scheduling and arranging facilities and other amenities.
Section 4. Board of Editors
The Board of Editors is responsible for the development, selection,
design, editing, publication and distribution of such publications as
the
Society may sponsor.
Section 5. Education Committee
The Education Committee is responsible for duties such as the
dissemination
of fact sheets and information on careers, facilities, programs, and
institutions.
Section 6. Scientific Program Committee
The Scientific Program Committee is responsible for arranging for
scientific
programs for meetings and workshops.
Section 7. Awards and Scholarship Committee
The Awards and Scholarship Committee is responsible for establishing
policies relating to awards and scholarships. The Committee also
develops,
judges, and grants the awards and scholarships of the Society.
Section 8. Nominations/Election Committee
The Nominations/Election Committee provides to the Board of Governors
slates of candidates for elective offices, collaborates with the
Secretary
to produce and mail ballots to voting members, and counts ballots.
Article V. Votes.
Section 1. All votes of the Society on matters not specified in the Constitution or Bylaws will be decided by a simple majority of those voting.
Section 2. Tie votes in general meetings or in meetings of the Board of Governors will be broken by the presiding officer. Tie votes in Standing Committee meetings will be broken by the Chairperson.
Section 3. Regardless of the number of candidates running for a particular office, the individual who receives that most votes shall be elected. (Amendment adopted at the 2001 Members meeting in Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Article VI. Rules of Procedure.
All meetings will be governed by Roberts' Rules of Order.
Article VII. Quorum.
Ten percent of the voting membership will constitute a quorum of the
Society and five members a quorum of the Board of Governors.
Article VIII. Resolutions.
Section 1.
Resolutions will be received by the Board of Governors at any time.
Resolutions concerned with matters of science or policy received more
than
two months before a general meeting and approved by the Board of
Governors
for submission to the members will be open for discussion at that
meeting.
Those resolutions concerned with matters of science or policy received
less than two months prior to the next general meeting will not be
discussed
at that meeting but, if approved by the Board of Governors for
submission
to the members, may later be submitted to the membership for a vote.
Section 2.
Each resolution must contain the following information before it can
be considered: (1) a short statement of the need for the resolution;
(2)
accurate scientific documentation concerning the circumstances of the
resolution;
(3) a list of proposed recipients of the resolution.
Section 3.
The Board of Governors will refer the resolutions to the appropriate
Standing Committee for study, after which it will be approved, denied
or
recommended for emendation by the Board of Governors. If approved, it
will
be submitted to the membership, along with a short documented
discussion
of the reason for the resolution, for a vote. A two-thirds majority of
those voting is required for ratification.
Section 4.
Once the resolution has been released by the Society the appropriate
Standing Committee will be instructed to determine the effect of the
resolution
and to recommend further action by the Board of Governors.
Section 5.
Resolutions of recognition may be presented and voted upon at a general
meeting. A two-thirds majority is required for passage.
Article IX. Meetings.
General meetings of the membership will be held at least every other
calendar year and will be announced to all members by mail at least two
months in advance.
Article X. Honorary Members.
Honorary Members may be elected by a two-thirds vote of the Members
voting upon unanimous recommendation by the Board of Governors, in
recognition
of distinguished service to marine mammalogy. Honorary Members have all
the privileges of Members but are exempt from dues. No more than twenty
(20)
Honorary
Members may be enrolled at one time (amended December 2003, Greensboro,
NC).
Article XI. Geographic Coverage of the Society.
The Society is open to persons throughout the world.
Article XII. Financial Reporting.
The Treasurer will give a detailed accounting of the financial status
of the Society at each General Business Meeting of the Society.
Article XIII. Dues.
Annual dues are $75 for Full Membership, $70 for Associate Membership,
$50 for Student Membership, $50 for Emeritus Membership, and $100 for
Institutional
Membership. Dues are $1200 for Life Membership payable in one
installment
or four consecutive annual payments of $350. All dues are to be paid in
U.S. dollars. Membership, other than Life, is for a calendar year. Any
member paying dues in a particular calendar year has the option of
paying
only shipping and handling costs to receive any issues of the journal
that
have already been published for that calendar year.
Article XIV. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Society will begin the first day of the calendar
year.
Article XV. Order of Business.
The order of business at business meetings will be as follows: reading
and approval of the minutes of the last business meeting. Treasurer's
report,
proposals for honorary membership, nomination of officers, reports and
recommendations of the Board of Governors, consideration of amendments
to the bylaws. Standing Committee reports, awards, discussion of
resolutions,
new business and adjournment.
GENERAL POLICIES OF THE SOCIETY FOR MARINE MAMMALOGY
The incoming Board of Governors shall review the performance and composition of all committees and recommend committee membership and duties.
The President will ensure that written invitations are issued to members to serve on Society committees.
The President will issue written invitations to those individuals elected as Honorary Members of the Society.
At the beginning of each new term of office, the incoming and outgoing Presidents jointly will conduct an internal audit of Society financial affairs.
The President-elect will work with the Conference and Program Committee Chairs to ensure that the upcoming conference is organized is and also to ensure that options for the next biennial conference are available.
The President-elect will provide to the Board of Governors one or more options for organizers and locations of the next biennial conference. After approval by the Board, a presentation by the organizers will be made to the Membership at the General Business Meeting conducted at the Biennial F Conference. These presentations should include details about costs, conference dates, modes of travel to the site, facilities and organizers. If there is more than one proposed conference site, the Membership will select the venue by majority vote on the election ballot.
The Secretary will work with the Nominations/Elections Committee Chair to prepare and mail ballots.
The Society's Publisher (currently Allen Press of Lawrence, Kansas) receives annual membership dues and notifies members of delinquencies.
The Treasurer monitors monies received by the Society's Publisher from monthly account statements and helps resolve any financial problems that members encounter.
The Treasurer receives monies associated with Special Publications, proceeds from the Biennial Conference and from donations for awards or scholarships.
The Treasurer disperses monetary awards or scholarships.
The Treasurer prepares an annual financial statement concurrent with the preparation of the Society's annual tax statement.
Upon request, the Treasurer will provide financial statements to potential funding agencies for support of Society activities, such as a biennial conference or Special Publication.
The Treasurer will provide a projected annual budget to the Board of Governors.
The Society is incorporated as a non-profit organization, with tax-exempt status, based in the state of California, USA.
The Senior Member-at-Large will be the Parliamentarian at Board of Governor Meetings and at General Business Meetings to ensure the meetings are conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
The Student Member-at-Large must be enrolled in a degree granting institution at the time of his/her nomination. This Student Member-at-Large will be a spokesperson for the concerns and goals of the student members of the Society.
Nomination procedures will ensure that the Society maintains an international and diverse composition by providing a variety of candidates for election relative to gender, nationality and area of scientific expertise. Traditionally, at least one of the Member-at-Large officers has been a non-North American member.
Ad hoc committees may be established by the Board of Governors, but Standing Committees must be approved by a vote of the Membership and added to Constitution Article VII and Bylaws Articles III and IV.
COMMITTEE POLICIES
Board of Editors
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE publishes significant new information resulting from original research and observations on marine mammals, their form, evolution, function, husbandry, health, populations and ecological relationships.
The Journal endorses the principle that experiments using live animals should be undertaken only for the purpose of advancing knowledge. Consideration should be given to the appropriateness of experimental procedures, species of animals used and number of animals required. All animal experimentation reported in MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE must be conducted in conformity with the relevant animal care codes and research permits of the country in which the study is conducted. The Editor will refuse manuscripts in which evidence of adherence to such codes is not apparent.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE publishes (l) Articles: important original research; (2) Review Articles: critical appraisals which place recent research in a new conceptual framework; (3) Notes: short communications on current research, important preliminary findings or new techniques; (4) Opinion: an invited contribution on a selected topic; (5) Letters: communications in response to papers previously published in MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, opinion, interpretation and new information on all topics of interest to marine mammalogists.
Articles, Review Articles and Notes are subject to peer review. Any Letter challenging published results or interpretations is transmitted to the author of the published work with an invitation to respond. The letter and its response are published simultaneously. Letters are judged by the Editor on appropriateness of the subject and interest to readers.
A Guide for Authors appears in the January issue of MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE each year. The guide should be consulted before preparing any manuscript for submission to MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE.
All manuscripts must be accompanied by a cover letter stating: (1) that the work is original; (2) that the same work has not been published previously; (3) that the work is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere; (4) that all authors have seen and approved the final manuscript; and (5) that any person cited as a source of personal communication has approved such citations.
Authors submitting a manuscript do so on the general understanding that if it is accepted for publication, copyright of tile article, including the right to reproduce the article in all forms and media, shall be assigned exclusively to The Society for Marine Mammalogy. The Society will not refuse any reasonable request by the author for permission to reproduce, in whole or part, his/her contribution to MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE.
Authors are asked to pay charges of $15.00 (US) per printed page or part thereof in MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, if funds for that purpose are available. In the event that funds for page charges are not available to the author from research or agency funds, a waiver of page charges will be granted by the Society upon application to the Editor. Payment of page charges thus is not a requirement for publication in MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE.
The editor appoints a Board of Associate Editors to provide guidance and assistance with editorial policies and responsibilities. Associate Editors serve staggered terms as determined by the Editor, with the concurrence of the Board of Governors. One member of the Board of Associate Editors is designated Deputy Editor. The Deputy Editor functions as editor when the Editor is on extended travel status.
Policy on Special Publications of The Society for Marine Mammalogy
The Society for Marine Mammalogy regards its journal, MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, as a primary avenue for publication of new information on marine mammals. Occasionally, a body of information on a particular aspect of marine mammal study is inappropriate for publication in MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE. Examples include monographic reports which are too long for publication in the Journal; edited collections of review articles on various aspects of a particular subject; or edited collections of papers addressing a particular topic where there is a justifiable need to keep the papers together, rather than publish them separately as journal articles. To meet these needs, the Society has established a Special Publication Series.
The Board of Editors of MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE has final responsibility for the scientific content of publications in the Special Publications Series. The Board of Governors of the Society makes the final decision on any expenditure of Society funds for publications.
Authors or editors considering publication of their material in the Special Publications Series should contact the Editor of MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE as early as possible to ascertain the suitability of the proposed work as a Special Publication. A set of guidelines to assist potential contributors to this series is available from the Editor for Special Publications.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE Policy on Advertising
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE will accept advertising relating to scientific books, materials and equipment at the discretion of the Editor. Current rates for camera-ready copy are $500 per page, $250 per half-page and $125 per quarter-page. Space on the inside back cover (printed in blue) is available for a 50% surcharge. Agency discount is 15%. Dimensions of camera-ready copy are full page - 4 5/8" x 8", half-page - 4 5/8" x 3 3/4" and quarter-page - 4 5/8" x 1 5/8". No bleed ads will be accepted. The deadline for camera-ready ads is 2 months preceding publication.
The MARINE MAMMAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER is published approximately quarterly and is distributed to Society members. The NEWSLETTER provides reports of news, issues, opportunities, symposia, conferences, workshops, and other topics of general interest to the membership, along with reports of standing and ad hoc committees, and questionnaires and ballots relating to Society activities and business. The NEWSLETTER also provides texts of Society Presidential Letters on various issues of concern to the membership. The NEWSLETTER may include Letters to the Editor originally submitted to MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE if, in the opinion of the Editor and the Committee of Scientific Advisors, such Letters are more appropriate for the NEWSLETTER.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible for promoting membership in the Society.
The Membership Committee shall:
1) Maintain correspondence with current and proposed Society members, approve membership applications, nominate new Corresponding Members to the Board of Governors, ensure that appropriate fees are collected and forward all related transactions to the Society's publisher.
2) Work directly with the publisher to handle questions regarding membership in the Society, receipt of Society publications and subscription renewal procedures.
3) Conduct membership drives with other societies to encourage new and former members to join the Society.
4) Make periodic and annual changes in the membership application forms which are circulated to members and potential members through the journal or by other means.
5) Develop and maintain the Society's Membership Directory (currently updated biennially), which contains current addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for all members, as well as the Society's Constitution, Bylaws, Policies, Society Officers, Committee Chairs, Conference information and Honorary Members.
Committee of Scientific Advisors
The Committee of Scientific Advisors is charged with advising the Board of Governors on matters related to the conservation and management of marine mammals and with providing to the board requested scientific information. The Committee of Scientific Advisors will work closely with other elements of the Board and Society members (such as in the production of the NEWSLETTER) to keep all members informed of current and relevant issues of interest and to ensure that the information provided is based on the best available scientific information.
Editorial responsibility for scientific and technical matters in the NEWSLETTER may be delegated by the Editor to the Committee of Scientific Advisors as required. In such cases the President assists the Committee in reviewing and editing NEWSLETTER content.
The Committee of Scientific Advisors is responsible for researching, drafting and submitting Presidential Letters to the Board of Governors for its review and publication in the NEWSLETTER. Presidential Letters are a mechanism to provide timely scientific comment on issues where there is strong scientific support, and where the majority of the Society's membership likely would hold the same scientific opinion.
Education Committee
The Education Committee is responsible for preparing and updating educational material as the Society may, from time to time, deem appropriate for the Society's mission, including, but not limited to, information on educational facilities and programs and marine mammal fact sheets.
The Education Committee shall:
1) Prepare and update the Society's publication on "Strategies for Pursuing a Career in Marine Mammal Science" in both printed and electronic versions.
2) Handle relevant correspondence from students and others interested in marine mammal science.
3) Manage the Society's site on the World Wide Web to provide the text of the Membership and Policy Directory, information on conferences, the Careers handbook, Presidential Letters, minutes of Society business meetings and meetings of tile Board of Governors, and other Society business or information.
Conference Committee
The Conference Committee, with concurrence of the Board of Governors, is responsible for making all necessary arrangements for the upcoming Biennial Conference and any associated workshops or symposia, including scheduling and arranging housing and meeting facilities, the final banquet and other conference amenities.
The Conference Committee shall:
1) Schedule oral and poster presentations; schedule business meetings and coffee and lunch breaks; arrange for souvenir memorabilia; prepare conference announcements, abstract books, programs, etc.; solicit vendors; raise local funds; and make decisions about possible day trips.
2) Adjust program structure to meet local conditions, with the concurrence of the Scientific Program Committee and the Board of Governors.
3) Register all participants at the Biennial Conference.
4) After the Biennial Conference, provide the Treasurer with a financial accounting of conference expenses and spending.
5) Any conference proceeds will be turned over to the Treasurer as "start up" money for the next Biennial Conference.
Scientific Program Committee
The Scientific Program Committee is responsible for arranging scientific programs for meetings, workshops and symposia.
The Scientific Program Committee shall:
1) Develop criteria for reviewing abstracts. Review and select all abstract submissions to be presented at the conference according to standards proposed by the Scientific Program Committee and approved by the Board of Governors.
2) Select session chairs.
3) Finalize arrangements for symposia.
4) Oversee the final arrangements for the scientific program.
5) Develop and maintain a "Guide to Organizing the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals," which includes such items as setting time limits for oral papers, the number of concurrent sessions, poster format and the number of days of the Biennial Conference.
6) Arrange symposia and plenary topics for future conferences, with the concurrence of the Board of Governors. Persons who wish to organize symposia or workshops are requested to submit their written proposals in detail to the Chair of the Scientific Program Committee as early as 2 years before the Biennial Conference. The Scientific Program Committee Chair and the Conference Committee Chair evaluate proposals and come to agreement at least 1 year prior to the Biennial Conference and notify the Symposia Chair.
7) Solicit applications from members to host future conferences. Members who wish to host a future biennial conference are asked to submit a detailed application to the Chair of the Scientific Program Committee and President-elect by 1 September 4 years in advance of the biennial meeting. Requests from institutions having appropriate facilities will be presented for consideration by the Membership 4 years in advance of the proposed meeting. If no request is received by the l September deadline, it is the responsibility of the Scientific Program Committee, along with the President-elect, to locate an appropriate host institution. Individuals offering requests for consideration should be present to invite and to respond to questions from the Membership during a business meeting. This Committee should periodically encourage the participation of venues outside North America.
Awards/Scholarship Committee
The Awards/Scholarship Committee is charged with detailing the monetary value, method of judging and eligibility for all awards and scholarships given by the Society. Funds for all awards are pooled and invested in the same account. The interest accrued is prorated annually into each award fund based on the beginning amount in a given fund that year. To guard the principal in each award fund, monetary awards should be paid with interest earned in that fund.
The Awards/Scholarship Committee shall:
1) Establish a Selection Committee to judge student award winners at each biennial conference of the Society.
2) Ensure that appropriate plaques and/or monetary awards are received by winners in a timely manner.
3) Ensure that plaques are given to all outgoing Officers and Committee Chairs.
4) Ensure that a list of winners is published in MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE or in the NEWSLETTER.
This Committee also oversees the development of new Awards and Scholarships. The Committee is charged with the development of a "Future Marine Mammalogists Fund," which shall be used to assist students with the travel cost to biennial conferences. Cash donations of less than $10,000 shall be directed into this fund. Donations greater than $10,000 can be used to develop a new award or directed to this fund. The name of each new award is determined by the donor, as are the selection criteria for disbursement of the prize; however, investment decisions must be made by the Society's Board of Governors. Award winners are to be decided by the Awards/Scholarship Committee or its designated Selection Committee.
The following awards currently are recognized and presented at the conclusion of The Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial Conference:
1) Best Oral Presentation by a Doctoral Student
In addition to the Board of Governors-approved slate of candidates, additional candidates may be nominated by Society members during General Business Meetings at biennial conferences. All candidates must be current members of the Society, be willing to serve as a Board of Governors member and provide a one paragraph background and position statement (not to exceed 150 words) for use on the ballot.
Information regarding upcoming elections shall be published in the Society's publications (MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE and/or the NEWSLETTER or World Wide Web site) at least 120 days prior to the General Business Meeting. Ballots shall be counted by the Nominations/Election Committee and verified by the President-elect (the only current Board of Governors member that is not up for election). In elections involving more than two candidates and rank-ordered ballots, it is possible that no candidate receives 50% of votes cast. In such cases the single transferable vote system is used as a run-off procedure, wherein each individual ballot may cast only one vote for a particular office.